Semperviva Sea

Tonight I completed my tour de Semperviva by checking out my fifth and final Semperviva location. I guess you could say I saved the best for last, because the Sea studio has by far the best view out of any yoga studio around.

What: Semperviva Sea

Where: 200 - 1333 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver BC

When: July 19, 2010, 7:15pm-8:30pm

Class: Hatha

Teacher: Diana

Drop-In price per class: $18

Types of classes offered: Hatha, Vinyasa Power, Ashtanga, Yin, Kundalini, Mom and Baby, Prenatal

Space:

Located on beautiful Granville Island, this studio has the most amazing view overlooking False Creek. It is located at Pier 32, close to Emily Carr University and is pretty easy to get to from most places. The studio has a nautical charm with high ceilings made of wood beams and has a cool, rustic feel to it. It's on the second floor and there's a sweet balcony you can go out on before or after classes to catch a glimpse of the spectacular view. The interesting thing about the space is that it's a split level and there's a raised area where the mats are facing inward. I recommend practicing in the far left hand corner near the window on this level - it has the best view! Haha it's all about the setting here. There's really nothing that can beat yoga by the sea. The studio had most of what you needed - a small but clean washroom down the hall, a changing stall, closets and shelves for belongings. The floors were carpet in the main studio, but I'll let that one slide seeing as it was well cared for and clean.

Atmosphere:

You just feel very alive when you practice here. The smell of the salt air and the sounds of boats going by is very soothing. The space had a community feel and people were very friendly and seemed truly happy to be there. I've actually done a teacher training in this studio and it was the perfect setting for learning and sharing. There is a feeling of liberation and ease that resonates in the place.

Teacher/Class:

After last week's not-so-hatha class in Richmond, I was happy to go to a class that was very relaxing. Diana was a great teacher and she spoke with a soft and soothing voice. I loved that she gave lots of modifications and options for beginners. The class was very slow-paced and almost felt like a Yin yoga class. We did hold certain yin poses for quite a while and there were many moments of just silence and breath. In the 75 minute class, she didn't guide us through very many poses, but rather spent a lot of time doing preperatory work to set up some key hatha poses. I really appreciated the linkages she would make between the action being created in one pose versus another. It was a very mellow class and I didn't mind it one bit. I think I fell asleep during savasana....and probably snored too!

Rating: 10/10 The location can't be beat at this studio. Of all the Semperviva studios, this is by far the best!